Iran Stands To Gain In Iraq

During the initial stages of America’s invasion of Iraq, Secretary of Defense Don Rumsfeld was asked about the difference between Shiites and Sunnis only to be met with a baffled look on the face of the man who directed the invasion. Neither Bush, nor Cheney had any grasp about Iraqi politics. Iraq’smajor Shiite political parties have formed a new coalition which pointedly excludes the current Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki. The Iraqi National Alliance will be led by the Islamic Supreme Council of Iraq, a conservative group which has close ties with Iranian Muslims and includes anti-American cleric Moqtada al-Sadr.

President Bush never understood that in crushing Iraq he was aiding Iranian Muslims. He never understood the need to foster a strong Muslim secular coalition which could steer between extremes. Ironically, Maliki, who has excluded Sunnis from power might have to depend upon their votes to retain power.